Vacation on Micqueot

[Mr. Moon]

Eric #1 

It was beautiful day, sunny and warm despite the fact that summer already ended few weeks ago. It was season of harvest, yet everyone in the small port city was talking about that unusual ship, which arrived at the morning.



It was small ship, more like a boat with a mast than anything. The crew was composed of only three people and it was them who caused such commotion. First was girl, young and obviously poor, who run away just as the ship docked. And the other two? The most unlike duo, you could possibly imagine. The first one looked like a savage barbarian or madman, short yet heavily muscular, with a silver hair and so many scars, that they were beyond counting, wearing only simple pants of dark color and nothing more. On the other hand, the second one as classy as he could be. Tall, with athletic build and black, shoulder-length hair, dressed in perfectly fitting black suit with a well maintained shoes. Both of them were unarmed, which was the only reason, why local dockers didn´t call the marines right away.



They were arguing about something from the moment they stepped ashore.



“I am telling you, that its a bad idea.”

Gabriel said angrily.



“Why? I didn´t even tell you who we are looking for.”

Eric replied impatiently.



“You didn´t even have to. Don´t be offended, but you don´t have many friends and there is only one you wouldn´t want to tell mi about, Michael.”



Eric sighted.

“Your brother is good swordsman and excellent navigator.”



“Half brother”

Said Gabriel

“And we don´t need him. We can navigate that ship ourselves.”



Eric shook his head.

“In the North Blue, perhaps, but what about Grand Line? Can we manage it ourselves too?”



For some time, Gabriel was silent. The two of them arrived at a refined restaurant and entered. One of the waiters noticed them right at the door and blocked their route.



“I am sorry gentlemen, but we have a strict dress code and...”

He looked at Eric with a disgust but his expression quickly changed to fear, when the fighter returned him his gaze.



“Did you said something?”

The waiter was really good at judging character of other people and what he saw in Eric´s eyes made him terrified.



“I...I...the third table is free...sir..
he stammered while he tried to get out of their way.

Without paying any attention to the confused and offended guests, they took the seats at the empty table and started ordering food.

(Waiter - 32e619)

[Flame]

Mars Post #1

While many of the finely dressed customer's turned their noses in disgust at the newly arrived scoundrels near the front, in the back some paid less attention. Perhaps because of disinterest, or perhaps simply because, food was being shoveled down the mouth. Stuck in the corner of the restaurant sat one of these few who'd not even turned a head up by the ruckus happening.

Instead the man was hunched over a wide bowl strands of saucey noodles being slurped up his lips. A fork in hand he dug it into the bowl one again twirling it about to gather up more. Coming up for a moment he looked down at his meal with a smile. "Not bad ..." he mumbled through the food. Reaching forward he grasped a long piece of bread ripping a handful off of it. Dipping it into the dish he came up with a slop of red juices infusing it. Popping it into his mouth he let it languish in his mouth savoring it.

His hand stretched out again grasping at the glass before him. Slipping about its thin stand he pulled it close to his mouth before pausing. "Ahh sh*t out." Turning his attention upwards his eyes scattered about the crowd to search for a waiter. Waving the glass at a nearest one he beckoned them to come refill it.

The cautious waiter paused for a moment before recognizing what was being asked. Heading over to a stand he grasped a bottle of red liquid before moving over to him. While that happened he took a look at the happenings of the restaurant. Some commotion seemed to still exist up at the front.

"You wanted more wine?"

"Huh? ... Oh yes." He said sliding the wine glass over. With a practiced motion the waiter decanted a good amount into the glass. "What's going on over there?" The guest asked nodding his head over to the far end of it.

"Don't let it bother you. Just some ruffians. They may ruffle some feathers but they'll be of no real harm."

Huh ... he looked over that way shooing the waiter away. Was that the case? The man scratched his chin for a moment then glanced to the cane resting against his chair. Well food came first, it'd be a shame to waste this. He reached for the glass of wine sipping at it calmly. "If they're not going to be a bother ..." Mars sighed, he'd like to enjoy his meal in peace. His earned money had gone to this and he didn't want to disturb it just yet.

[Mr. Moon]

Eric #2 

Eric and Gabriel sat down at the table and began ordering their food. Steak, salad and wine for Gabriel and whatever with lots of meat and beer for Eric. When the waiter heard Eric´s order, he opened mouth as if he wanted to protest, but after second or so he decided otherwise and walked away. The two of them sat at the table and argued about Michael and his potential involvement in their journey, before out of nowhere Gabriel focused his attention somewhere behind Eric´s backs.



“Friend of yours?”

He asked.



“What?”

Eric, was confused by his suddenly changed behavior.



“The guy in the pink shirt. He is trying to be inconspicuous, but he is looking at you, since we came in.”

Said Gabriel silently as he didn´t want to raise any suspicion. But Eric, blunt as ever turned back and looked around.



“That one?”



He asked, when he noticed older guy in his early forties. He was quite big, almost as tall as Gabriel with a squared torso and strong arms. His head was bald, and bored brown eyes were looking at half empty plate. At the first glance, he looked completely ordinary, maybe with the exception of bright pink shirt he was wearing.



“Eric, don´t...”

Gabriel tried to stop his captain, but it was already too late, as Eric get up from his chair and walked to the stranger.



“Can I sit with you?”

Eric asked and sat down, without waiting for an answer.



“YOU! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?”

One of the waiters just noticed Eric´s behavior and went to him, but was stopped by the stranger.



“That is O.K. I don´t mind his company. Actually, its a great honor to sit with the White Tiger himself at the same table.”



The waiter looked pretty confused, but he left them alone. Eric was sitting there, with completely unreadable expression.



“How do you know about that?”

The scarred fighter asked with a threat in his voice.



Man in the pink shirt smirked.

“Is it important?”



“Yes”



“Well, lets say, I am your big fan”

He replied

“Lets make a deal. We will eat our meals as civilized men and than, we can talk.”



Eric frowned.

“Don´t even thing about running away.”



“Don´t worry.”

The unknown man smiled.

“On the square, there is little bench under old linden. I´ll wait for you there. Can you find it?”



Eric didn´t answered, instead of it, he get up and went back to Gabriel.



“What was that?”

He asked with a trace of concern in his voice.



“Later”

Eric said.

“Lets enjoy our meals first”



Gabriel sighted. He wanted to know what happened just now, but he also knew too well that its useless to ask Eric. That man was more stubborn than a rock. So he won´t tell him anything until he wants to.

(Stranger - ff0066)

[Flame]

Mars Post #2

Hmm, Mars watched for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and turning his attention back down to his food. With a twist of his fork and a short movement of his wrist he shoveled another bit of saucey noodle into his mouth. A stray meat ball tried to slip away from his chewing maw but he stabbed it through with the fork and shoved it into the corner of his mouth. "Mmmph- good" He mumbled through his food nearly choking on it. Chewing it down and then giving it an almost pained swallow he gulped it down.

The foolish man smiled mostly to himself as he leaned back savoring the flavor. Reaching out he grabbed the baguette and ripped off another piece. Dipping it in the remains of the bowl to gather up some sauce he quickly put the piece in his mouth smiling as he chewed it down. Then a nice gulp of wine helped wash it down properly. Mars closed his eyes the smile on his face widening as he enjoyed the-

A raised voice popped his eyes open again. He looked down the restaurant to see what was going on. Mars gave a sigh as he saw one of the troublemakers before walking over. Ruining the food experience at this restaurant. He frowned as he grabbed the wine glass and upended the rest of its contents into his mouth.

Eyelids pressed down as he stopped himself for a moment. Was he going to do this really? Of course. What kind of question was that, there was no question in the slightest. With a quick movement of the legs he scooted his chair back standing up while at the same time his hand reached for his trusty cane snatching it up with ease. He walked over ignoring the qualms of a waiter who'd noticed his movement.

It was as quick a jaunt over as any as he turned to face the pair at the new table. With a twist of his wrist, his cane swung about and clacked against the wood. A solid clack at that, it spoke to the truth of what lay within the cane.

"If you're going to bother the rest of the guests of this fine establishment you should leave." He said eyeing the original guest sat at the table before turning his eye to the new one. The one who'd been making all the commotion. "Or I'll make you." Mars' eyes narrowed, his hand firmly gripping the end of the cane, the nail of his thumb dug into it at a point.

[Mr. Moon]

Eric #3 

Eric and Gabriel sat down at their table, while the waiter finally delivered their food. Both of them started eating as the week at sea without proper provisions left them quite hungry. Unfortunately, their peace didn´t last long as one of the guests, young man with red hair, who was obviously offended by Eric´s previous behavior, walked to their table.



“You will do what?”

Eric asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. Gabriel shook his head in silent disagreement, but Eric was already on his feet, standing against the newcomer, ready to strike at the first hint of attack from his side. But before he could do anything thrown knife flew between them.

Surprised Eric looked to the left, where he found long kitchen knife stabbed to the handle in the solid wall of the restaurant. He than look to the right, where he saw big, heavily overweight man in a cooking apron with another meat cleaver in his hand.



“Stop pi**ing me off!”

He yelled furiously.

“I don´t care if you are saint or devil, as long as you have money, you can eat in my restaurant, but if you try to fight here, I´ll kick your a**es until they turns blue, understand? If yes, than sit down on your butts and enjoy your meal, or…”

He raised his cleaver threateningly.



Eric frowned. He didn´t like being ordered around, but on the other hand, he didn´t want to fight with someone, who could throw knife with enough force to penetrate solid stone wall. Especially with so many strangers around him.

“Understood”

He muttered, ready to sit down in when the redhead guy´ll back off.

[Flame]

Mars Post #3

"I'll make you." Mars said unperturbed as the one before him stood up to face him down. At the end of the last word an item flashed in the corner of his eye speeding past him as the kitchen knife sped past his nose lodging itself in the opposite wall with a solid thunk.

The swashbuckler's green eyes turned to look to his side. From the kitchen door a stocky man in chef's gear was furiously raising his cleaver in the air. The man threatened, with his cleaver at the ready. Mars blinked a single time considering him and his impeccable kitchen knife accuracy. But he didn't back off in the slightest. As if he were concerned by the man's appearance.

Mars' attention turned back to the nuisances before him. "Well? I told you to get out." The swashbuckler was untroubled by the irate chef to his left.

"THAT'S IT!!" From his left the voice of the chef was beyond irate now. His voice filled the room with anger. Mars glanced to his periphery for a moment to see the cleaver pulled back for a second before it being launched at Mars. It whirled through the air. The swashbuckler sighed, his arm moved like a flash.

His thumbnail pressed into the thin gap in his cane and flicked down. The dark oak cane split revealing its truth. The lower half a sheath gave way to a thin steel blade, Mars' own cane sword, the blade came forth. Mars took a single step in that time and his sword met the cleaver in the air. Wrist shifted as the swashbuckler controlled his weapon with a practiced ease. The cleaver's trajectory turned, following the blade down it lodged itself deep into the table before which Mars stood. The handle of it rested against the tabletop and Mars guessed that if one looked beneath the cleaver was more present below the table than above.

He grinned, quite happy with himself in the moment before turning back to his presumed nuisances. "Like I said ge-"

"GET THE F**** OUT THE LOT OF YA!!!!"

[Mr. Moon]

Eric #4 

That red haired guy didn´t back off. What more, he obviously mistook Eric´s gesture of good will with a sign of weakness. Obviously his actions provoked that overweight chef into another attack, this time with his cleaver. Eric was ready to dodge, but than he noticed, that it wouldn´t be necessary, as the new guy pulled thin blade from his cane right before he repelled the thrown weapon with it.

Eric smiled. That guy was skilled and a fight with skilled opponent wasn´t something that he would give up on willingly.



“Than make me!”

The brawler challenged Mars, but before they could actually start fighting, that chef lost it completely.



"GET THE F**** OUT THE LOT OF YA!!!!"

He yelled furiously, after which he grabbed nearest table and picked it up overhead. As all the table in restaurant had massive desk from oak, it was no small feat.

He threw it again with such great force and a speed, that Eric instinctively leaped backward, over their own table, as he was quite sure, that this time the red haired swordsman will not be able to parry.



The other guests of the restaurant started to panic and run towards the doors. But the cook didn´t seem like he care. Instead he grabbed another table and with it in his big hands, he charged towards Mars and Eric as an angry bull.



“GET THE F*** OUT OF MY RESTAURANT!”



In the confusion, both Gabriel and the unknown man in a pink shirt disappeared somewhere.

[Flame]

Mars Post #4

The restaurant worker roared in annoyance at Mars' disinterest in following his directives. Unfortunate that he couldn't see what Mars did was in the best interest of the restaurant. But such was life, unfortunate that they didn't see the plight of the righteous. "Don't worry you'll understand soon." He said in a whisper in the direction of the man he noticed was now wielding a table above his head.

"Hmmmm"

The wielded table seemed, an annoyance. The man motioned forward, he was going to throw it huh. Mars grasped his cane sword in one hand pulling it fully free of the sheath. The blade was now fully in one hand the sheath in the other. The chef hurled the table forward. "Sorry, but its self defense here." The swashbuckler said with a smile. His position shifted slightly, his arm raised bringing the straight blade up above his head. Now.

"Rend!" His arm whipped down, the cane sword sped down in an extremely swift movement. Two feet in front of him, the table split in two. Not evenly down the center but with a vastly smaller piece and a vastly larger one. Each half spilled past Mars on either side. The swashbuckler smiled happy with himself until he saw what was behind the table.

Another one this time wielded like a bat roaring towards him and the nuisance. The chef came yelling as he did, before swiping across in a broad swing of the table. "Woahh" It was a soft exclamation as his feet had him doubling backwards. Once twice he hit the ground moving backwards maintaining his usual cat-like balance with a shift of the sheath in his other hand.

The table whizzed past him swiping in front of his face but he was just out of range.

"That's dangerous ya'know."

[Mr. Moon]

Eric #5 

Surprisingly the red haired swordsman was able to cut the thrown table into two halves, so they just harmlessly passed around him, before they hit the ground.

Eric smirked. That swordsman was actually much more skilled than he initially thought. So skilled, that he actually would like to have him in his crew. But unfortunately, his resistance led to that, the chef focused all of his anger on him. He arrived like an angry bull and he swung the table, but he missed, as Mars swiftly dodged backwards.

Eric used the fact that no one was paying attention to him and silently leaped forward, using his momentum to punch him to the back of the head.

The chef stopped in the middle of his own movement and after single second, he fell down, on the ground, unconscious.



“You are quite skilled.”

Eric addressed Mars calmly, but from his body language it was completely obvious, that he is more than ready to fight.

“So, what will we do now. Do you still want to fight, or can we enjoy our meal quietly before someone someone calls the marines here?”

At the moment there were only three conscious people in the whole restaurant. Mars, Eric and Gabriel, who just get back with something what looked like a broomstick which he obviously wanted to use instead of his lost spear. Everyone else, the guests and the employees alike fled. With the sole exception of the chef who was laying on the ground unconscious of course.

[Flame]

Mars Post #5

The nuisance, annoying as ever actually managed to knock out the fatty chef. Surprising, it'd have perhaps even been praiseworthy. Well not really but, Mars didn't know what else to think. A one hit had to prove something. Not that it mattered in this situation, there was still the statements he'd made previously. His belief that what he was doing was right, the 'honorable thing to do'. To get the nuisances out of the restaurant even if, he glanced around most of it was empty now. Looks like I won't have to pay ... he thought to himself. Well at the very least that'll pay for the fee to get rid of these.

He glanced over at the nuisance who was gesturing aggressively at him. Mars shook his head back and forth, "You're either an idiot, or deaf." He said with a sigh, how many times had he made himself perfectly clear.

"Given that you've responded to what I've said in the past. I'm going to go with idiotically dumb." Mars said, he nodded to himself internalizing his reasoning.

"But since you're so stupid, and I'm a benevolent swordsman. I'll give you one last chance to understand what i'm saying." He put emphasis on those last few words hoping to point out for the idiot to listen to what Mars was saying.

"Get out of this restaurant now. Or I'll cut you in half the same as that table."

He flourished his blade in one hand and sheath in the other holding them both so they pointed vaguely forward. He'd no real want of bloodshed so hopefully the idiot listened to him this time.

[Mr. Moon]

Eric #6 

The red haired swordsman didn´t accept the peace offer. Too bad, because, Eric didn´t give them give them very often.  

Arrogant, the swordsman was acting like if Eric was some kind of idiot, but the fighter was acting like if he didn´t care at all.

“Very well than”

Eric sighted and turned backwards to his table, so he was standing with his back facing Mars. Than he leaned forward, like if he was about to take his plate and leave, but instead he grabbed his chair which he tossed against the swordsman from a quick turn.

From an experience he knew that the chair will not stop the swordsman, but it could keep his sword occupied, so right after the throw, Eric leaped forward, followed immediately by Gabriel.

Even through, they didn´t see each other for a while, they were working like a well coordinated team.

While Eric was coming to Mars from the side with the sheath, Gabriel took the side with the blade. While Eric was using his Pawn strike, aiming with a circular arm strike to Mars´ neck, to grab him and tear down, Gabriel was ready to intercept movement of his sword, with his “spear” and to redirect it away from his captain.

[Flame]

Mars Post #6

"Well I warned you." He murmured to himself as the chair was hurled at him. Mars' eyes flickered to the obvious positioning of the man on the otherside. Unpracticed. Especially to think the sheath was the weaker of the problems.

Mars foot moved rising and his body began to turn. Twist actually, the sheath swung up sliding between the legs of the chair as it flew towards him. A small amount of wrist manipulation was necessary but it'd do perfectly fine. "Rend!"

With the twisting of his body both sheath and blade swung around his body. The sheath controlled the chair's trajectory pushing against it such that it arced over the swashbuckler. His arm followed through accelerating the chair onward completing its swing as it hurled the chair in the direction of Gabriel.

At the same time his blade went low. Where his sheath swung towards Gabriel the blade went away. It swung back down towards the floor moving instead back up and towards the nuisance. As Mars continued through the twist of his body the blade lifted upwards again. His arm helping out he whipped the blade upwards. The cane sword carried upwards a slash of air that grew in height as it flew farther from the blade diagonally bisecting the man's approach towards Mars.

Normally he'd wait to see what happened, but this seemed an annoying situation. Even if far from perfect these two seemed to have some sense of how to work together. As his body turn finished the leg that'd swung up to give momentum and balance to the turn hit the ground it kicked off. It launched him into the air as a quick meter or two's jump that had him land on the edge of a table.

His weight shifted as he landed with bent legs. His landing turned the table on its side from the imbalance of weight. Maintaining his center of gravity the whole time one of his feet extended to catch the ground safely. And for fun, the second leg shot towards the table kicking it at his enemies. Mars smiled, Time to teach them what it is to mess with a pirate.

[Mr. Moon]

Eric #7 

Eric was excited, even through his face was completely calm. This guy was strong, even stronger than himself, which meant that he could become much stronger himself.

Gabriel was safe. He caught that chair thrown in his direction with his staff and redirected in in safe direction, where it hit the poor unconscious chef to the back. He was safe, but it slowed him down, so he couldn´t assist Eric who got almost hit.

As he was counting on Gabriel, that he will take care about the sword, he was focused on his own attack so much, that he almost missed the flying slash, which Mars unleashed in his direction. But fortunately once again, his fast reflexes saved him. So when he noticed the incoming attack with a corner of his eye, he didn´t freeze and instead of that he kicked the ground under his feet one more time to accelerate into another Leap. This time however, he backed out, back to his original position, close to the Gabriel, so they could regroup and start their coordinated attack once again. Right at the time, because when his feet hit the ground, Mars kicked a table against them.

“Your wish...”

Eric thought for himself, when he lifted his left leg and hit the table desk with a powerful push kick. The power of the table was great enough for him to loose balance and fell down into back roll, from which he jump right back at his feet. But more importantly, he managed not only to stop the flying table but also sent it back against Mars, even with lower speed and strength. But it didn´t matter much, as the table was followed by the two of them.

Gabriel was running on a slight curve from the left, while Eric was coming from the right. As they were attacking Eric noticed that the noise coming from outside become louder and louder, like if someone was running towards the restaurant.

[Flame]

Mars Post #7

It was unfortunate that neither of his attacks connected but it had to be lived with. It would happen, he knew that. His experiences at sea and about the North Blue definitely spoke to that. But now was not the time for sentimental thoughts. His attention turned to the two idiots charging him now.

Right then. The table was sent back towards him with the two following. Hmm, Mars turned his foot slightly, this'd be interesting he hadn't done this in a little while. His triceps bulged with tension. At once he released both, his foot turned back the other way and his body followed as he torqued into a spin. Then at once both of his triceps swung out, sword and sheath both arced forward swing across his body. Both were set so they swung above the height of the table.

"Rend Doubled!"

The sword came first slicing across releasing a flying slash that charged forward going straight over the table towards Eric. The sheath came after, conceptually the attack was the same and the swashbuckler had faith. It swung across the torso pushing a sheath-sized flat of air forward similarly over the table. The latter unfortunately dissipated as it slid over. Needed practice, he frowned.

He, the sound of steps in his ear grew, it was unhalting, louder and louder until.

-CRASH-

Large wooden splinters shattered upon impact and were summarily knocked forward. They shot like grapeshot spraying the entire restaurant with pointy bullet-sized shards of wood. Mars' eyes widened as he jumped back to avoid them. Two splinters struck him as he jumped backwards, the first hit his shoulder cutting a line through his sleeve and leaving a reddening scratch on it. The other nicked his cheek drawing a thin line of blood that slid down it.

"Nobody move. You're all under arrest."

The deep voice belonged to an excessively large man rippling with muscles. His limbs looked like tree trunks and his chest twice the size of Mars' at least. What's more among the settling dust, a familiar color scheme showed through.

Mars cursed beneath his breath, "Marines ..."

[Mr. Moon]

Eric #8 

This time, Eric was ready. When he noticed movement of Mars´ sword, he immediately changed direction and jumped to the side, to avoid incoming attack. Unfortunately, he was expecting table not another flying slash, so he ended up too far away on the Mars´ right side, so he had to interrupt his attack for a while. But that wasn´t the case with Gabriel. He slowed down a little, when he noticed attack aimed at him he slowed down, ready to block it or to dodge, but when he noticed, that it dissipated, he speeded up to use this opportunity for an attack. But before he could strike, the door leading to the restaurant literally exploded into cloud of wooden splinters.

Instinctively, Eric went down, to the half kneeling, covering his eyes in the process to be as small target as possible, yet still some random splinter found its way into his left forearm.

Gabriel ended up worse. His new suit was ragged and full of small pieces of wood, while he himself had several small splinters stabbed in both, his arm and torso with one deeper cut on his right shoulder.

“What the...”

His curse was stopped when he noticed the Marine officer in the door frame. Eric knew what he was thinking about. It was barely week since the Marines tried to execute him for some banned historical artifact so he really didn´t want their attention.

Eric silently cursed. If it was only about him, he would stay as the Marine looked strong and invitation to three way fight was something that he could not decline, but it wasn´t only about him. And of course, Marines were rarely alone and he had his own business with the mysterious guy in the pink shirt.

Fortunately, the Marine looked unarmed.

“Window”

He shouted at Gabriel, who immediately turned back and started running towards closest window, followed by Eric, who regretfully glanced over his roasted pork knee and followed him.

There was sound of broken glass as Gabriel broke the window with his stick, before he jumped of the window followed by his captain.